Lac St. Denis, QC

5 – 6 Jun 57

Recorder Installation – Installation of GNH-501 recorders completed by Sonograph. Almost all positions can now be taped on request.

Surveillance Conference – Representatives from all adjacent GCI sites attended this conference. Problems pertaining to Identification, Plotting and Telling were discussed and recommendations as to standardized procedures were adopted.

Softball – Station Softball Team played at Ste. Agathe. Lac St. Denis 9 – Ste. Agathe 8.

Softball – A return match with Ste. Agathe at Morin Heights with Lac St. Denis beating Ste. Agathe by a repeat score of 9 to 8.

15J-1D Synthetic Trainer – This trainer, a machine which simulates targets for purposes of training, received a well deserved overhaul by RCA Technicians.

Transfer – F/L Garson, Station MO transferred to Toronto. No RCAF replacement anticipated. The services of Dr. MY LeClerc on a part-time basis were acquired.

Softball – Lac St. Denis 7, Ste. Agathe 4 at Morin Heights.

Ops Exercise "Oilburner" – A General Alert was not called, however Tactical action was taken. Surveillance picture fair but plotting was not up to standard. Tactical results included 4 MA’s and 7 MI’s mainly due to friendly fighters mixing in with target stream and not breaking as pre-planned.

Ops Exercise "Dawn Dance" – A Broadcast Control Exercise. An exercise where target information is broadcast over CBC facilities as due to the greater power of these stations an enemy would not be able to jam them as effectively as GCI transmitters. Target information received by friendly fighters is used by the crew to position themselves so that they may complete a successful attack.

(Dawn Dance) Surveillance picture poor. Improper handover procedures entailed additional work by controllers. Target aircraft attempted ECM but had little success. Tactical results 2 MA’s and 2 MI’s. Alert sounded at 1356Z. All clear at 1713Z.

Visit – Unit visited by NATO TV Team. A conducted tour was arranged during which NATO cameramen took selected films of various stages of operations.

Ops Exercise "Hepcat Everglade" – A SAC overfly exercise. An alert was not called but Tactical action was taken. Excellent Warning and Cross-Telling. A total of 15 intercepts attempted against 7 targets, with 8 completions.

Beach Opening – Official opening of Station Beach long delayed due to cool weather. There were boat and swimming races, diving exhibitions and a bathing beauty contest.

Softball – Lac St. Denis played against the Army at Long Point. Long Point 8, Lac St. Denis 7.

Ops Exercise "Cueball" – An Alert was called at 1250Z. A total of 12 fighters were scrambled against this SAC overfly. Picture was confused due to a shortage of serviceable VHF channels and bunching up of fighter aircraft after they were airborne. This resulted in a total of 10 missed intercepts.

Fishing Derby – A Fishing Derby was held at St. Justine by the newly formed Station Fishing Club.

Exchange Officer – Capt. JB Enloe, USAF Exchange Officer TOS this unit.

Softball – The Men’s and Ladies Softball Teams journeyed to St. Johns with the following results: The Girls lost to St. Johns 15 to 5. The Men emerged with a 6 to 4 win, over St. Johns.

Survey – A water safety survey conducted by Command Representatives. This Unit received a clean bill of health.

Accident – Power Wagon 29B54 damaged at entrance to Tower Hill. Temporary driver at fault.

Swimming – Swimming lessons commenced for children as part of water safety programme.

Transfer – S/L Lee, new CTSO TOS this Unit.

Transfer – S/L DG Murphy, outgoing CTSO, transferred to 1 ADCC.

Exercises – Mobile ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) Unit from Command arrived and conducted a series of jamming exercises.

Station News Magazine – Copy of Den-Air News June-July was released.

Visit – Maj. GD Estabrook visited the Unit for orientation and familiarization. Departed 9 Aug.

Visit – Unit visited by MND Hon G Pearkes and party. Party included Brig FCG Paye DSO, OBE and AVM CR Dunlop.

Softball – Girls against St. Hubert at Morin Heights. Lac St. Denis won both games 6-5 and 4-3.

Visit – Visited by Maj. FG Ault and F/L JA McCormick from Command. Surveillance procedures discussed.

Visit and Cross Training – Squadron visited by 425 Squadron Aircrew and URTP Flight Cadets. Indoctrination and familiarization with AN/CPS-6B radar equipment.

Ops Exercise "Dawn Dance II" – Second Broadcast Control Exercise. Exercise went according to plan with minor exceptions. Faker recovery carried out at Faker Leader’s request despite Ops Order to the contrary. Faker tracks were dead-reckoned for approximately 40 miles due to fade area. Surveillance picture erratic but this must be expected as under Broadcast Control Conditions GCI’s are unable to positively identify friendly fighter aircraft.

Carnival – Attempt to hold a summer carnival floundered due to unexpected cold snap. A few hardy individuals braved the cold north breeze.

Visit – Checking on modifications to VHF transmitters conducted by AMC personnel.

Building – New ME Garage accepted by RCAF.

Building – New Fire Hall completed and accepted by RCAF.

Transfer – F/O P Peterson, Med/Nur TOS this Unit. With no official SMO on the Unit she expects to be busy.

Visit – Command Personnel conducting research on scripting of RCAF Security film. F/O V Mulroy and Mr. A Goldman.

Transfer – F/O D Walker transferred to Comox.

Visit – W/C Fitzgerald and S/L Traxler from AFHQ and S/L Sansoucy from ADC on visit for familiarization.

Official Opening – The wood-working Hobby Shops officially re-opened.

Parade – Battle of Britain Sunday. Parade proceeded to chapel.

Station Beach – The Station Beach was closed without the usual fanfare due to unusually cool weather.

Equipment – A new Resuscitator was received by the Station Infirmary.

Ops Exercise "Barn Door" – No tactical action called for. A jamming exercise conducted to familiarize personnel with ECM on a radar scope.

Equipment – Installation of GPA-23 consoles commenced. This equipment is a portion of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment System adopted by US ADC and is being installed at this Unit for evaluation and possible incorporation into the Canadian Air Defence Network. This is an impressive piece of equipment and when properly employed, through the use of electronic computers, raises the capability of one intercept controller to the point whereby he may control a maximum of six different interceptions at the same time.

Visit – Station Supply and Accounting activities audited by #6 Field Audit Team of DM Audit Group during the month of Sep.

Den-Air News Magazine – Copy of Station Magazine for Aug-Sep was released.

Ops "Exercise Caveman B3" – A Three Sector penetration exercise, on the same scale as One Sector Chancelight exercises. Unit participated in the recovery of fighters only. Improper handover procedures created some difficulties but recovery completed safely.

Building – New Admin Bldg completed and accepted by RCAF.

Examinations – An Air Staff Visiting Team including S/L JA King, Major FC Aoult and S/L AW Bishop conducted a Ground Environment Exercise and an examination of Unit Controllers.

Ops Exercise "Brave Star" – Unit participated in the recovery of fighters only. Some difficulties experienced due to inability to obtain approach clearances expeditiously.

Visit – SOMS Staff Visit to Station Infirmary included S/L G Davis and F/L Evoy.

Training – Power Plant Operators Course #1 commenced this date to run for three weeks.

Ops Exercise – Jamming exercise. This Unit’s radar not affected to any great extent.

Ops Exercise "Cold Wind" – Tactical results were 7 misses as compared to 1 MA. Targets appeared to be bunching causing one section of fighters to break-off for safety. Intermittent target paints and poor VHF added to Controller difficulties. Scramble instructions issued to fighter sections were lacking in simplicity and created some confusion.

Visit – ADCHQ Supply Inspection Team composed of F/L Porter and Sgt. Johnson inspected all phases of Supply Administration.

Ops Exercise "Cold Wind II" – Unit had trouble with radar gear during this exercise. Targets did not follow Ops Order. One fighter in distress but all recovered safely. Results 4 MA and 2 misses.

Damage – High winds caused some damage to VHF antennas.

Parade – Remembrance Day at Ste. Agathe.

Equipment – GPA-23 consoles accepted and indoctrination and evaluation trials commenced. A total of 4 consoles have been installed. Two with 1000k speed restrictions and two with 1500k speed restrictions.

Training – Power Plant Operators Course #2 commenced for a three week period.

Accident – Vehicle 641A10 in collision with 3 ton Ford truck at Piedmont intersection with #11 highway. Crown responsibility.

Building – Station pool accepted by RCAF from contractors.

Airwomen’s Lounge – The heart of many a female on the Unit was gladdened with the official opening of the new Airwomen’s Lounge. The opening was duly officiated by the Acting CO, S/L E Lee.

Curling – Station Curling Teams commenced activities at St. Adele.

Equipment – Extension to Central Heating Plant completed. This included two new 250 HP Volcano boilers that replaced the old 150 HP ones.

Ops Exercise "Cold Wind III" – Results 4 MA’s with 2 misses. A dangerous situation arouse when one controller committed his aircraft from the opposite side of the main attacking force. Recovery action was delayed as it was not originally called for in the Ops Order.

Visit – A/C Bradshaw attended an official Mess Dinner at the Officer’s Mess.

Den-Air News Magazine – Copy of Station News Magazine for Oct-Nov was released.

Signed by:

(JD Mitchner) W/C
CO, RCAF Station Lac St. Denis, Que.